New & still feel ill

Hi to everyone, I have recently found this site to help with thyroid problems. I am still feeling ill with various symptoms. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid 5 years ago. I had a blood test done two months ago and grateful what others here think of the results. I only take liothyronine, 30mcg a day at present.

Serum TSH level - (still low but improved) 0.11 miu/L 0.40 - 4.00 miu/L

Serum free T4 level - (still low but improved) <1.3 pmo/L 10.60 - 21.00 pmo/L

Serum free T3 level - (Normal - was high, now in normal range. To continue current dose & review with consultant as arranged ) 3.2 pmo/L 3.20 - 5.90 pmo/L

Thank you

[jimh111]

Luzzu, It would help to know your blood test results when you were diagnosed and also when you were on levothyroxne, if you were. Assuming you had your blood taken half way between two doses of liothyronine your fT3 is a bit low. Also, a typical full replacement dose of liothyronine is around 40 - 50 mcg, so this would suggest you need a little more. I'm not sure why your consultant is keeping you on the current dose when your symptoms and fT3 suggest you need an increase.

[Hidden in reply to jimh111]

This is the first and only blood result I have seen. All I know is that when I was first diagnosed about five years ago my TSH was 86.

[jimh111 in reply to Hidden]

It would be a good idea to ask for copies of all your results, we often find them useful at a later date. I would ask for an increase in your dose. Presumably you were on levothyroxine at some stage?

[silverfox7]

When you are taking T3 then thecresults are read differently. So your TSH should be suppressed and your FT4 can be lower in the range but your FT3 should be high in its range but not over. The result for FT3 is pretty low do you would benefit from an increase then test again after 6 weeks

[Hidden in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you silverfox7 and jimh111

[Hidden]

I have been asking both GP and endo for an increase in my T3 for years, but they refuse. This is because my TSH is so low. I have had big fights over the years and to be honest, I'm exhausted.

[LAHs]

Your TSH is not too low. Don't bother to fight with your doc over a small increase in T3. T3 has a very short half life so any effects from a pill taken in the morning is long forgotten by that evening. I would suggest a tiny increase and see how you feel. This is actually what I had to do. I take NDT, whose most effective ingredient is T3 and while I felt 90% better over how I was on Levo I increased my dose a little bit and found myself amazingly back to normal. Actually it is only you who can hone your optimal dose, the doc will look at the blood test numbers but the final little polish has to come from the patient.

[Hidden in reply to LAHs]

Why are both my GP and endocrinologist insisting that I am over medicated then? It makes me weep.

[LAHs in reply to Hidden]

They are probably only looking at the TSH, that's what many (most?) of them do. I realize that this is only anecdotal but my TSH has been barely measurable <.002) for 13 years and I don't have osteoporosis (over what might be considered normal for my age) nor heart problems. I am on NDT, I have no thyroid (after Th Cancer), I am perfectly fit and ride my bike everywhere and everyday. You might want to look into getting some NDT, I guess it will have to be via the internet but maybe you have a need for some T4 and the T3 it brings with it would do no harm. Both your T4 and T3 are very low.

[Hidden in reply to LAHs]

Thank you for your help. I will look at buying T3 or NDT.

[Hidden]

jimh111 silverfox7 LAHs Apologies, but I'm confused. If I buy some NDT or T3 on the internet, what happens when my GP insists on doing a blood test? She will realise that I have taken more than the 30mcg the endo has been prescribing. I feel like I'm up a creek without a paddle.

[silverfox7]

Have a look at the Thyroid U.K. Site. They run this forum. Anything on there that helps your cause then print it off and take to your GP. Thyroid Uk are recommended by NHS Choices for dysfunction of the thyroid gland or do you get a patient information leaflet with your medication? If not down load one for NDT and hopefully that will give some helpful guidance as well.